Wabash Fire burns almost 30 acres near Redlands-Yucaipa border

The Wabash Fire spread through dry vegetation up the hillside toward homes perched atop Sunset Drive just before noon Friday south of the 10 Freeway near the Redlands-Yucaipa border.

Firefighters from multiple agencies quickly responded to the call, limiting the fire to 28.5 acres, according to Redlands Fire Chief Jeff Frazier.

Flame retardant dropped from an aircraft struck a car. No other property damage or human injuries - to civilians or firefighters - was reported.

By 2 p.m., firefighters had extinguished the flames and were setting up a containment line, according to Cal Fire spokesman Bill Peters.

An hour later, smoke continued to billow from patches of the charred hillside as firefighters hosed the hot spots alone or in pairs.

Sunset Drive, the road on top of the hill where the fire broke out, was closed at Wabash Avenue. Eastbound traffic, backed up to the 210 interchange and beyond, was diverted off the freeway at Ford Street around the fire. The 10 was partially reopened a short time later with lane closures.

Fire officials expected the Wabash Fire to be completely contained by Friday night and planned to monitor the area until noon Saturday.

The cause of the fire was unknown and would continue to be investigated into Friday evening, said Frazier.

"We haven't found any faulty equipment," he said.

A number of things may have started the blaze, given its proximity to the freeway, he said, "but we may never know. "

As Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service and fire departments from Redlands, Loma Linda and the city and county of San Bernardino rushed past stopped cars on the freeway in pursuit of the Wabash Fire, another blaze broke out in Yucaipa at 14th and E streets.

A lawnmower started the blaze, which was contained to a half acre, Peters said. No injuries or property damages were reported there.